Careers in Medicine: Specialty Information

Nuclear Medicine

Nature of the work

A nuclear medicine specialist employs the properties of radioactive atoms and molecules in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, and in research. Radiation detection and imaging instrument systems are used to detect disease as it changes the function and metabolism of normal cells, tissues and organs.

Training/residency information

Residency training in nuclear medicine is two years, following one year of preparatory clinical residency training. Nuclear medicine specialists are trained in the biologic effects of radiation exposure, the fundamentals of the physical sciences and the principles and operation of radiation detection and imaging instrumentation systems.

For more information

• American College of Nuclear Medicine
• American College of Nuclear Physicians
• American Nuclear Society
• Society of Nuclear Medicine

Source: The American Board of Medical Specialties and the Society of Nuclear Medicine.

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